Job 29:22
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
Original Language Analysis
אַחֲרֵ֣י
After
H310
אַחֲרֵ֣י
After
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
דְ֭בָרִי
my words
H1697
דְ֭בָרִי
my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁנ֑וּ
they spake not again
H8138
יִשְׁנ֑וּ
they spake not again
Strong's:
H8138
Word #:
4 of 7
to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
וְ֝עָלֵ֗ימוֹ
H5921
וְ֝עָלֵ֗ימוֹ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:Isaiah 52:15So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.Matthew 22:46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.Ezekiel 20:46Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;Song of Solomon 4:11Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Historical Context
The metaphor of speech as rain or dew reflects the agricultural dependence of ancient Israel. In a semi-arid climate, gentle rain (not torrential downpour) was essential for crop success. Similarly, wise counsel needed to be measured, timely, and absorbable. Job's speech had this penetrating quality that sank deep rather than running off like water on hardened soil (compare the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:3-23).
Questions for Reflection
- What made Job's words so final that no one needed to 'speak again' or add corrections?
- How does the image of speech 'dropping like dew' contrast with harsh, forceful argumentation?
- When has God's Word dropped on your heart with refreshing power rather than crushing weight?
Analysis & Commentary
After my words they spake not again (אַחֲרֵי־דְבָרִי לֹא יִשְׁנוּ, acharei-devari lo yishnu)—Shanah (spake again, repeated) means to do a second time or repeat. Job's words were so conclusive, so weighted with wisdom, that no rebuttal was necessary or possible. This finality contrasts with the endless cycles of speeches in Job's current ordeal.
My speech dropped upon them (וְעָלֵיהֶם תִּטֹּף מִלָּתִי, va'aleihem titoph millati)—The verb nataph (dropped) describes gentle falling like dew or rain, used prophetically for words that distill truth (Deuteronomy 32:2, Amos 7:16). Job's millah (speech, utterance) descended with refreshing, life-giving power. The agricultural metaphor prepares for verse 23's rain imagery, showing how wisdom nourishes like precipitation nourishes crops.